This quote which I don’t remember where I got it from but more likely from my facebook page. This quote ‘being Deaf’ was useful for any sign language/Deaf culture class in the community.

Many Deaf people hate a label “Deaf” in society by other hearing people, including medical specialists. There is another label ‘disabilities/disability’ in the community as well.

I am one of them because I am happened to be deaf, and my second language is sign language. Currently, my hearing loss is severely profoundly deaf due to my speech tone which I speak in the hearing community BUT cannot hear the noise in the background or can not hear the person’s voice while speaking in the noisy area. When I am with the Deaf people or the people I am supporting under my work, I use sign language to them. Because they can understand me by either NZSL or English sign language, and often I try to change to simple sign language under NZSL.

Deaf people I know, they can do anything at work, stay at home mum/dad, out doing the gardening or travelling on the road. They are good with their visual while working, driving or at home. I have got many good skill and talents in the hearing community, especially where I work. Many people found me as a fantastic deaf person who can work as equal to themselves. I am full of surprise to them where I work and at home, especially in the garden. The main barrier in the hearing community is to communicate where not everyone (hearing) do not know our sign language, or speak clearly but not too slowly or shouting at the Deaf people.

Here is another quote from Marlee Matlin.

Many Deaf people are living in a hearing family or living with a Deaf family. I am the only deaf person in my hearing family, as well. It is not easy for me because I am often the last person in the room, at work or anywhere at the public meeting. It is easy to forget a Deaf person in the same place.

But not really at our home where I have a hearing partner and two dogs. My partner and I talk and at a minimal time, I have trouble understanding what he was trying to say. I ask him to repeat what he was saying and he often use body gesture signs. We always keep in touch and update on what happening out there.

The reality is – it is important to remember that there is a Deaf person in your workroom, or in the family, public meeting and do let them know like everyone else who is hearing. If it is at work, then book an interpreter for the public meeting, staff meeting etc. With the family, do try to communicate more often and learn to sign language or use body gestures. If using mobile, then try texting and video conferencing to Deaf person, or using a computer/laptop/iPad later try to do a video conferencing.